Sentence Structure: Remember that in order for a clause to be independent, it must have both a subject and a predicate. Simple Sentences: A simple sentence has only one independent clause with no subordinating clauses. A simple sentence may appear complicated because it can have compound subjects and predicates, prepositional phrases, appositives, verbal phrases, and adjectives that all make the sentence seem more complex; however, the sentence is still considered simple despite the sentence expansions. :EXAMPLES: Dogs howl. [simple sentence] Dogs and coyotes howl. [simple sentence with a compound subject] Dogs howl and yelp. [simple sentence with a compound predicate] Dogs and coyotes howl and yelp. [simple sentence with compound subject and compound predicate] Dogs and coyotes howl and yelp in the middle of the night. [simple sentence with a prepositional phrase] Compound Sentences: A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no subordinating clauses. In a compound sentence, both clauses must have a subject and a predicate (aka independent clause). The independent clauses in a compound sentence are usually joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, so, yet, or for). A semicolon can also join independent clauses in a compound sentence. :EXAMPLES: Cats meow, and dogs bark. [2 independent clauses] Cats meow, and dogs bark, yet cows moo. [3 independent clauses] The ferocious dog was foaming at the mouth; the cat fled his presence. [2 independent clauses joined by a semicolon] Complex Sentences: A Complex Sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. TIP* If the sentence begins with a dependent clause, then a comma always follows it; however, if it begins with an independent clause, then no comma is necessary. A dependent clause cannot stand on its own so it must be joined with an independent clause to form a complex sentence. Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Examples of subordinating conjunctions: after although as because before even though if since though unless until when whenever whereas wherever while :EXAMPLES: Although I studied for the test, I failed miserably. [introductory dependent clause followed by an independent clause] I went to the concert even though my mom told me not to go. [introductory independent clause followed by a dependent clause] Sentences containing adjective clauses (or dependent clauses) are also complex because they contain an independent clause and a dependent clause. :EXAMPLES: (Independent clauses are underlined) The man who sold me the newspaper was kind and honest. The fruit that I bought is in the fruit bowl on the table. The hospital where I was born is in Nashville, TN. Compound-Complex Sentences A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. *Don’t forget to apply all of the rules of simple, complex, and compound sentences to your compound-complex sentences as well. :EXAMPLES: After the play, I went over to give my friend flowers, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. [dependent clause followed by two independent clauses] I wanted to pet the puppy while the owner was talking, but I didn’t want to interrupt her by asking. [independent clause --> dependent clause (in italics) --> independent clause] SENTENCE STRUCTURE REVIEW QUESTIONS: Indicate whether the sentence is S, C, CX, or CC. 1. Although it was raining and muddy, the campers managed to have fun; they made a giant mudslide. 2. I went to the store with my mom, and we picked out all the ingredients for dinner. 3. I enjoy teaching guitar to inner-city kids on Friday afternoons. 4. Because of the cold weather, all of my flowers died. FRAGMENTS A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. Some fragments are incomplete because they lack either a subject or a verb, or both. Dependent clauses are tricky because they can have a subject and a verb, but they do not express a complete thought. This makes them a sentence fragment. :EXAMPLES: Because I wrecked my new car. Since I finished the dishes. If it is below freezing outside. RUN-ON SENTENCES A run-on sentence is formed when two or more independent clauses are linked improperly. :EXAMPLES: I cannot wait until Christmas day I love watching everyone open their gifts. My room gets really cold but I love wrapping myself in blankets and turning on the heater it is so cozy! You can fix a run-on sentence by separating the independent parts as individual sentences. Ex: I cannot wait until Christmas day. I love watching everyone open their gifts. You can also fix it by adding a semicolon. Ex: I cannot wait until Christmas day; I love watching everyone open their gifts. You could also use a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a subordinating conjunction, but you can never just use a comma by itself. FRAGMENTS AND RUN-ON SENTENCES REVIEW QUESTIONS: Tell whether the sentence is a fragment or a run-on. Fix the sentence so that it is correct. 1. Until I receive more donations and volunteers. 2. After you cut your hair, take a picture for me I want to see it. 3. Even though I already won the game. 4. While I waited patiently for my turn on the roller coaster. 5. My guitar is next to my bed I play it before I go to sleep and when I wake up in the mornings. 6. Although I do love cookies, cupcakes, and cobbler.
Remember that in order for a clause to be independent, it must have both a subject and a predicate.
Simple Sentences:
A simple sentence has only one independent clause with no subordinating clauses.
A simple sentence may appear complicated because it can have compound subjects and predicates, prepositional phrases, appositives, verbal phrases, and adjectives that all make the sentence seem more complex; however, the sentence is still considered simple despite the sentence expansions.
:EXAMPLES:
Dogs howl. [simple sentence]
Dogs and coyotes howl. [simple sentence with a compound subject]
Dogs howl and yelp. [simple sentence with a compound predicate]
Dogs and coyotes howl and yelp. [simple sentence with compound subject and compound predicate]
Dogs and coyotes howl and yelp in the middle of the night. [simple sentence with a prepositional phrase]
Compound Sentences:
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no subordinating clauses.
In a compound sentence, both clauses must have a subject and a predicate (aka independent clause).
The independent clauses in a compound sentence are usually joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, so, yet, or for).
A semicolon can also join independent clauses in a compound sentence.
:EXAMPLES:
Cats meow, and dogs bark. [2 independent clauses]
Cats meow, and dogs bark, yet cows moo. [3 independent clauses]
The ferocious dog was foaming at the mouth; the cat fled his presence. [2 independent clauses joined by a semicolon]
Complex Sentences:
A Complex Sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
TIP* If the sentence begins with a dependent clause, then a comma always follows it; however, if it begins with an independent clause, then no comma is necessary.
A dependent clause cannot stand on its own so it must be joined with an independent clause to form a complex sentence.
Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions.
Examples of subordinating conjunctions:
after
although
as
because
before
even though
if
since
though
unless
until
when
whenever
whereas
wherever
while
:EXAMPLES:
Although I studied for the test, I failed miserably. [introductory dependent clause followed by an independent clause]
I went to the concert even though my mom told me not to go. [introductory independent clause followed by a dependent clause]
Sentences containing adjective clauses (or dependent clauses) are also complex because they contain an independent clause and a dependent clause.
:EXAMPLES: (Independent clauses are underlined)
The man who sold me the newspaper was kind and honest.
The fruit that I bought is in the fruit bowl on the table.
The hospital where I was born is in Nashville, TN.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
*Don’t forget to apply all of the rules of simple, complex, and compound sentences to your compound-complex sentences as well.
:EXAMPLES:
After the play, I went over to give my friend flowers, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. [dependent clause followed by two independent clauses]
I wanted to pet the puppy while the owner was talking, but I didn’t want to interrupt her by asking. [independent clause --> dependent clause (in italics) --> independent clause]
SENTENCE STRUCTURE REVIEW QUESTIONS:
Indicate whether the sentence is S, C, CX, or CC.
1. Although it was raining and muddy, the campers managed to have fun; they made a giant mudslide.
2. I went to the store with my mom, and we picked out all the ingredients for dinner.
3. I enjoy teaching guitar to inner-city kids on Friday afternoons.
4. Because of the cold weather, all of my flowers died.
FRAGMENTS
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. Some fragments are incomplete because they lack either a subject or a verb, or both.
Dependent clauses are tricky because they can have a subject and a verb, but they do not express a complete thought. This makes them a sentence fragment.
:EXAMPLES:
Because I wrecked my new car.
Since I finished the dishes.
If it is below freezing outside.
RUN-ON SENTENCES
A run-on sentence is formed when two or more independent clauses are linked improperly.
:EXAMPLES:
I cannot wait until Christmas day I love watching everyone open their gifts.
My room gets really cold but I love wrapping myself in blankets and turning on the heater it is so cozy!
You can fix a run-on sentence by separating the independent parts as individual sentences. Ex: I cannot wait until Christmas day. I love watching everyone open their gifts.
You can also fix it by adding a semicolon. Ex: I cannot wait until Christmas day; I love watching everyone open their gifts.
You could also use a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a subordinating conjunction, but you can never just use a comma by itself.
FRAGMENTS AND RUN-ON SENTENCES REVIEW QUESTIONS:
Tell whether the sentence is a fragment or a run-on. Fix the sentence so that it is correct.
1. Until I receive more donations and volunteers.
2. After you cut your hair, take a picture for me I want to see it.
3. Even though I already won the game.
4. While I waited patiently for my turn on the roller coaster.
5. My guitar is next to my bed I play it before I go to sleep and when I wake up in the mornings.
6. Although I do love cookies, cupcakes, and cobbler.